Shopping Apparatus and Methods

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus related to enabling a shopper to utilize a mobile electronic device to enhance the shopping experience. A shopper may utilize the mobile electronic device to check-in at a retail location. A pecuniary reward or offer may be provided to the shopper and the shopper may be notified of such reward or offer via the mobile electronic device. A mobile electronic device may be utilized to compile an electronic shopping list and/or send an electronic shopping list.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part under35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,630 filed May20, 2011 and entitled “Shopping Apparatus and Methods” which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/471,508 filed Apr.4, 2011 and entitled “Shopping Apparatus and Methods.” All of theaforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed generally to aspects of apparatus andmethods related to shopping. More particularly, various inventivemethods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to enabling a shopper toutilize a mobile electronic device to enhance a shopper's experience.

BACKGROUND

Many stores utilize one or more strategies to entice consumers topatronize their store and/or to gather purchasing data from consumers.For example, many retail stores have a rewards card that may be scannedduring the check-out procedure to thereby entitle the shopper to adiscount on the current purchase and/or to an allotment of points thatmay be used for future purchases and/or rewards. Such rewards cards mayentice the shopper to shop at a store to obtain discounts and/or pointsand may also enable a store to gather data concerning that shopper.

Also, for example, many retail stores may utilize advertisements and/orcoupons, optionally in combination with the rewards card, to enticeconsumers to patronize their store. For example, circular ads may toutspecials that may be obtained through utilization of the rewards card.Also, for example, coupons may be scanned during the check-out procedureto thereby entitle the shopper to a discount on one or more items theypurchase.

Although such strategies may provide enticement for customers topatronize a store and/or may enable for the gathering of purchasing datafrom consumers, they may have one or more drawbacks and/or may beimproved in one or more ways. For example, rewards cards, circular ads,and coupons do not provide a pecuniary benefit to a shopper until duringthe checkout process. Also, for example, shoppers may not havesufficient motivation to view a circular ad and/or coupon. Also, forexample, circular ads and/or coupons may not be tailored to a particularshopper and/or a particular store. Also, for example, coupons and/orother product information may not be adequately targeted to a particularshopper.

Thus, applicant has recognized and appreciated a need to provide methodsand/or apparatus that enable a shopper to utilize a mobile electronicdevice to organize shopping related information, provide shoppingrelated information, and/or receive information geared toward theshopper, while optionally overcoming one or more drawbacks of and/orimproving upon previous methods and apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally directed to various aspects ofapparatus and methods related to shopping. For example, some aspects aredirected toward methods and apparatus related to enabling a shopper toutilize a mobile electronic device to check-in to a physical store whileat the store. For example, in some embodiments a shopper may utilize amobile electronic device to scan a check-in code at a location proximalto an entrance of a physical store. For example, the check-in code maybe attached to a shopping cart and scanned by the mobile electronicdevice shortly after entering the store. A substantially instantaneouspecuniary reward may be provided to the shopper upon reading of thecheck-in code and the shopper may be substantially instantly notified ofsuch reward via the mobile electronic device. Also, for example, someaspects are directed to enabling shoppers to utilize a mobile electronicdevice to compile an electronic shopping list and/or send an electronicshopping list. In some embodiments one or more coupons may optionally beconveyed to the shopper via the electronic mobile device in response tothe shopper providing the electronic shopping list.

Generally, in one aspect a method is provided the includes the steps of:electronically receiving data from a mobile electronic device thatuniquely identifies a shopper and presence of the shopper at a physicalretail store; electronically receiving in combination with the data, anelectronic shopping list generated by the shopper, the electronicshopping list identifying products in which the shopper has interest inpurchasing and retail source information uniquely identifying at leastone associated retail location to purchase each of the products on theelectronic shopping list; identifying at least one selected product ofthe products; and transmitting a product-specific special offer to themobile electronic device, the product-specific special offer specific tothe selected product of the electronic shopping list.

In some embodiments the product-specific special offer is specific tothe physical retail store.

In some embodiments the physical retail store is a competing store tothe associated retail location of one or more of the products.

In some embodiments the product-specific special offer is for acompeting product to the selected product.

In some embodiments the product-specific special offer requires purchaseof the selected product in combination with additional products not onthe electronic shopping list.

In some embodiments the mobile electronic device identifies presence ofthe shopper at the physical store from at least one of GPS data,scanning a check-in code, and Wi-Fi.

Generally, in another aspect a method is provided the includes the stepsof: electronically receiving an electronic shopping list generated by ashopper, the electronic shopping list identifying products in which theshopper has interest in purchasing and including at least one associatedretail store for one or more of the products, the shopping listincluding a first product of the products associated with a first retailstore of the at least one associated retail store; identifying, inresponse to receiving the shopping list, a first special offerassociated with the first product; and notifying the shopper via amobile electronic device of the first special offer, the first specialoffer useable at a retail location distinct from the first retail store.

In some embodiments the method further includes the step ofelectronically receiving a second product of the products associatedwith a second retail store of the at least one retail store, the firstretail store and the second retail store distinct from one another. Insome versions of those embodiments the retail location is associatedwith the second retail store. In some versions of those embodiments theretail location is a competitor of the first retail store and the secondretail store.

In some embodiments the first product is associated with a first brand.

In some versions of those embodiments the first special offer isassociated with a particular brand that is distinct from the firstbrand.

Generally, in another aspect a method is provided the includes the stepsof: receiving a first request from a shopper to add a first product toan electronic shopping list of the shopper, the first requestoriginating from a mobile electronic device and including a firstproduct information uniquely identifying the first product and a firstretail source information uniquely identifying a first retail locationto purchase the first product; receiving a second request from a shopperto add a second product to an electronic shopping list of the shopper,the second request originating from a mobile electronic device andincluding a second product information uniquely identifying the secondproduct and a second retail source information uniquely identifying asecond retail location to purchase the second product; adding the firstproduct information to the electronic shopping list; adding the secondproduct information to the electronic shopping list; associating thefirst retail source information with the first product information;associating the second retail source information with the second productinformation; providing the electronic shopping list to the shopper fordisplay; and providing the electronic shopping list to at least oneserver for analysis of the electronic shopping list in response toassociation of the shopper with a specific retail location.

In some embodiments the request is generated via selection of theproduct from an electronic advertisement viewed via the mobileelectronic device.

In some embodiments the method further includes electronically receivingcheck-in data from the mobile electronic device, the check-in dataidentifying presence of the shopper at the specific retail location. Insome versions of those embodiments the check-in data is received via themobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device sending thecheck-in data in response to scanning a check-in code. In some versionsof those embodiments the check-in code is proximal to an entrance of thespecific retail location. In some versions of those embodiments thecheck-in data is received in response to location information of themobile electronic device identifying presence of the shopper at thespecific physical retail location.

In some embodiments the server includes at least one server analyzingproducts on the electronic shopping list and distributing selectiveinformation to a retail computing device, the selective informationutilized by the retail computing device to send at least one targetedshopping incentive to the shopper based on the electronic shopping list.

In some embodiments the server includes at least one server analyzingproducts on the electronic shopping list and sending at least onetargeted shopping incentive to the shopper.

In some versions of those embodiments the targeted shopping incentive isbased on product information of the electronic shopping list.

Generally, in other aspects, other apparatus, systems, and/or methodsrelated to shopping are provided. Such apparatus, systems, and/ormethods may utilize a mobile electronic device to enhance a shoppingexperience for a shopper and/or for a store.

The term “network” as used herein refers to any interconnection of twoor more devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitatesthe transport of information (e.g. for device control, data storage,data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and/or amongmultiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readilyappreciated, various implementations of networks suitable forinterconnecting multiple devices may include any of a variety of networktopologies and employ any of a variety of communication protocols.Additionally, in various networks according to the present disclosure,any one connection between two devices may represent a dedicatedconnection between the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicatedconnection. In addition to carrying information intended for the twodevices, such a non-dedicated connection may carry information notnecessarily intended for either of the two devices (e.g., an opennetwork connection). Furthermore, it should be readily appreciated thatvarious networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or morewireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate informationtransport throughout the network.

The present disclosure is described with narrative and reference toflowcharts and/or diagrams that illustrate methods, apparatus orsystems, and computer program product. Each portion of the narrative,block of the various flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in theflowcharts, can be implemented by computer program instructions. Suchcomputer program instructions can be loaded onto a general-purposecomputer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing device to produce a machine, such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatuscreate means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchartsor elsewhere in this specification. The computer program instructionscan also be stored in a computer-readable memory that directs a computeror other programmable data processing device to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function specified in the flowcharts or diagrams.The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowcharts or diagrams.

It will be understood that blocks of the flowcharts and other aspects ofthis specification support combinations of systems for performing thespecified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specifiedfunctions, and program instructions for performing the specifiedfunctions. Each block of the flowcharts or diagrams, combinations ofblocks in the flowcharts or diagrams, and other aspects of thespecification can be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-basedcomputer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, orcombinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented using any computerprogramming language, now known or developed in the future. Likewise,various computers and/or processors may be used to carry out aspects ofthe present disclosure without being limited to those described herein.Other implementations may include a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium storing instructions executable by a processor to performa method such as one or more of the methods described above. Yet anotherimplementation may include a system including memory and one or moreprocessors operable to execute instructions, stored in the memory, toperform a method such as one or more of the methods described above.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shopping cart having a display with a check-inbarcode; a mobile electronic device of a shopper is positioned adjacentthe check-in barcode.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying a home screenof an embodiment of an application for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 3 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying a check-inscreen of the embodiment of the application for checking-in to aphysical store.

FIG. 4 illustrates a reward notification screen of the embodiment of theapplication for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 5 illustrates a physical store home screen of the embodiment of theapplication for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pecuniary check-in reward utilization screen of theembodiment of the application for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of providing asubstantially instantaneous pecuniary reward to a mobile electronicdevice.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of providing asubstantially instantaneous further pecuniary reward to a mobileelectronic device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of providing at leastone tailored retail screen to a shopper.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a system for checking-in to aphysical store.

FIG. 11 illustrates a first targeted advertisement screen of theembodiment of the application for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second targeted advertisement screen of theembodiment of the application for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 13 illustrates a third targeted advertisement screen of theembodiment of the application for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 14 illustrates a transitional screen of the embodiment of theapplication for checking-in to a physical store.

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic of an example environment of a systemfor enabling a mobile electronic device to transmit an electronicshopping list to one or more servers.

FIG. 16 illustrates another schematic of an example environment of asystem for enabling a mobile electronic device to transmit an electronicshopping list to one or more servers via a network.

FIG. 17 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying an exampleof an electronic shopping list screen of an embodiment of an applicationfor utilizing an electronic shopping list.

FIG. 18 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying an exampleof an electronic advertisement screen of the embodiment of theapplication for utilizing an electronic shopping list.

FIG. 19 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying anotherexample of an electronic advertisement screen of the embodiment of theapplication for utilizing an electronic shopping list.

FIG. 20 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying an exampleof a barcode scanning screen of the embodiment of the application forutilizing an electronic shopping list.

FIG. 21 illustrates the mobile electronic device displaying an exampleof a recipe display screen of the embodiment of the application forutilizing an electronic shopping list.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation andnot limitation, representative embodiments disclosing specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of theclaimed invention. However, it will be apparent to one having ordinaryskill in the art having had the benefit of the present disclosure thatother embodiments according to the present teachings that depart fromthe specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, descriptions of well-known apparatuses andmethods may be omitted so as to not obscure the description of therepresentative embodiments. Such methods and apparatuses are clearlywithin the scope of the claimed invention. For example, check-inbarcodes may be depicted herein as Quick Response (QR) barcodes.However, one or more check-in barcodes having other configurations maybe implemented in certain embodiments of the methods and apparatusdescribed herein and implementation of the other configurations inalternatively configured methods and apparatus is contemplated withoutdeviating from the scope or spirit of the claimed invention. Forexample, one or more Semacode barcodes, High Capacity Color Barcodes,ShotCode barcodes, Aztec barcodes, matrix barcodes, and/or otherbarcodes having an optical machine-readable representation of data maybe utilized.

Referring to FIG. 1, a shopping cart 20 is illustrated. The shoppingcart 20 includes a basket 22 and a handle 24 extending rearwardly fromthe basket 22 for driving and steering the shopping cart 20. Aninformational display 30 is attached to the handle 24 via engagement ofhandles 31 and 32 of the informational display 30 with the handle 24 ofthe shopping cart 20. The informational display 30 may be fixedly orremovably attached to the handle 24. In alternative embodiments theinformational display 30 may optionally be integrally formed with thehandle 24. The informational display 30 includes a housing 34 thatremovably retains a magazine insert 36 having a QR type check-in barcode38 on an outward facing side of an outermost page thereof. Instructions39 are provided adjacent the check-in barcode 38 that provide graphicand/or written instructions to a shopper. The instructions generallyinform the shopper to scan the check-in barcode 38 utilizing a mobileelectronic device.

The magazine insert 36 includes a plurality of individual pages that arebound to one another. Some of the individual pages may optionally beprovided with information on both sides thereof. The magazine insert 36may include additional shopping related information and/or advertisementinformation. For example, the magazine insert 36 may include storespecials, a store map, a store item index, one or more recipes, one ormore shopping checklists, one or more project tutorials, one or moreadvertisements for items in the store, one or more advertisements fornearby businesses, and/or other shopping related information and/oradvertisement information. In alternative embodiments the magazineinsert 36 may only include a single sheet, optionally with informationon only one side thereof. The magazine insert 36 may be periodicallyreplaced to, inter alia, change information thereon, for aestheticpurposes, and/or to change the check-in barcode 38. The magazine insert36 may be removably retained on the housing 34 utilizing, for example,one or more of an adhesive, clips, a retaining lip sized to fit aroundall or portions of the periphery of the magazine insert 36, screws, zipties, and/or other retention apparatus and/or methods.

Although a check-in barcode 38 is depicted herein as being on aparticular magazine insert 36 removably received in a housing 34attached to a handle 24, one of ordinary skill in the art, having hadthe benefit of the present disclosure, will recognize and appreciatethat in alternative embodiments the check-in barcode 38 may be otherwisecoupled to or integrally formed with the shopping cart 20. For example,the check-in barcode 38 may be on a sheet insert removably attachable toa housing on the basket 22, may be encased behind a clear outer casingof the handle 24, may be molded into a plastic basket 22 and/or handle24, and/or may be attached via a clip removably attached to the shoppingcart 20.

Moreover, as described in detail herein, one of ordinary skill in theart, having had the benefit of the present disclosure, will recognizeand appreciate that in some alternative embodiments the check-in barcode38 may be provided coupled to alternative items that may be proximal tothe entrance of a store. For example, in some embodiments the check-inbarcode 38 may be provided on posters positioned proximal to theentrance of a store, may be provided on an entrance door of a store, maybe provided on standalone displays provided proximal to the entrance ofa store, may be provided on small shopping baskets provided proximal tothe entrance of a store, and/or may be provided on a circular ad and/orcircular ad stand provided proximal to the entrance of a store.Providing the check-in barcode 38 proximal to the entrance of a storemay provide a shopper with the opportunity to utilize the check-inbarcode 38 within the first minutes of entering the store.

A hand 1 of a shopper is also depicted in FIG. 1 holding a cell phone 50adjacent to the check-in barcode 38. The shopper has just utilized thecell phone 50 to scan the check-in barcode 38 and an image 538 of thecheck-in barcode 38 is still visible on the screen of the cell phone 50.In some embodiments the cell phone 50 may scan the check-in barcode 38by utilizing a camera of the cell phone to temporarily capture one ormore images of the check-in barcode 38 and analyzing the check-inbarcode 38 within the image(s). In other embodiments the mobile phone 50may capture one or more images of the check-in barcode 38 and send theimage(s) to a server for analysis. As described in detail herein, oncethe shopper has scanned the check-in barcode 38, the shopper will bechecked-in to the store and a substantially instantaneous pecuniaryreward may be provided to the shopper. Moreover, additional informationregarding the store, items in the store, projects related to items inthe store, etc. may optionally be provided to the shopper after scanningthe check-in barcode 38. Such additional information may optionally betailored to the shopper.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the mobile electronic device 50 isillustrated displaying various screens of an embodiment of anapplication for checking-in to a physical store. FIG. 2 illustrates ahome screen of the embodiment of an application for checking-in to aphysical store. The home screen includes an application logo 542(“CHECK-IN”) and application slogan 544 (“Don't check out until youCheck-in”). The home screen also includes a check-in rewards bar 546that displays the shopper's current balance of check-in rewards. Thebalance of check-in rewards is in cash in various embodiments depictedherein. However, as described in detail herein, other pecuniary check-inrewards may be utilized such as, for example, points that may beredeemed for pecuniary savings, coupons that may be redeemed forpecuniary savings, and/or gift certificates that may be redeemed forpecuniary savings. The pecuniary check-in rewards may be provided insuch alternative formats initially or after conversion from a cash orother format by a shopper.

Located below the application logo 542 and the application slogan 544 isa ticker area 548 that may display textual information as desired. Forexample, the ticker area 548 may display scrolling text that highlightsnew features of the application, may display scrolling text thathighlights merchants that interface with the application, and/or maydisplay scrolling text highlighting features of the application. Theticker area 548 may optionally be clickable by a user to displayadditional information. For example, clicking the ticker area 548 maydirect the mobile phone 50 to a web page containing additionalinformation pertinent to the textual information displayed in the tickerarea 548. In some embodiments the ticker area 548 may display anadvertisement or other paid-for material.

Located below the ticker area 548 is a check-in button 550 that, whenactuated by a shopper, will enable the shopper to check-in to a store asdescribed in detail herein. For example, the check-in button 550 maydirect the mobile phone 50 to a check-in screen such as the embodimentof the check-in screen of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, an image 538 ofthe check-in barcode 38 is visible in a viewfinder area of the screen ofthe mobile phone 50. The image 538 may be visible when a shopper isholding the mobile phone 50 such that a camera thereof has the check-inbarcode 38 in its field of view at a sufficiently close distance tocapture and/or read contents thereof. The image 538 may optionallyremain visible for an amount of time to provide the shopper withverification that the check-in barcode 38 was scanned by the mobilephone 50. Instructions 539A and 539B are provided above and below,respectively, the viewfinder area of the mobile phone 50 and instructthe shopper how to scan the check-in barcode 38. Optionally, video,images, and/or audio may be provided in the viewfinder area and/orelsewhere on the screen or from the mobile phone 50 to additionally oralternatively instruct the shopper how to scan the check-in barcode 38.

Referring to FIG. 4, once the shopper has utilized the mobile phone 50to scan the check-in barcode 38, a reward notification screen 541 may bedisplayed to the shopper. The reward notification screen 541 notifiesthe shopper of the application of a shopper's account check-in reward tothe shopper rewards account of the shopper. The depicted notificationscreen 541 notifies the shopper that 1,000 points have been applied to ashopper rewards account of the shopper. The shopper rewards account maybe a rewards account associated with the store that the shopperchecked-in to or, alternatively, may be another store that the shopperhas selected. For example, a store may provide shopper's accountcheck-in reward points to a shopper when that shopper checks-in to thatstore. The store may optionally additionally provide shopper's accountcheck-in rewards points to a shopper when that shopper checks-in to anaffiliated store.

The reward notification screen 541 also notifies the shopper of theapplication of a pecuniary check-in reward to the shopper's check-inrewards account and the amount of the reward ($0.50). The rewardnotification screen 541 may be in the form of a pop-up type screendisplayed for a period of time or until recognized by a user and/or anew screen that is displayed for a period of time or until recognized bya user. Optionally, the reward notification screen 541 may be twoseparate screens (simultaneously or separately displayed) that mayseparately display the pecuniary check-in reward and the shopper'saccount check-in reward. Also, as discussed herein, in certainembodiments of the application and/or when checking-in to certainstores, only the pecuniary check-in rewards may be earned. For example,only pecuniary check-in rewards may be earned when the store does nothave a shopper rewards program or when the shopper is not registeredwith the store's shopper rewards program.

Alternatively, a reward notification may, for example, be displayed inthe ticker area 548 or may be otherwise displayed to a usersubstantially instantaneously following scanning of the check-in barcode38. For example, the pecuniary rewards notification screen 546 may beupdated upon the scanning of the check-in barcode 38, to thereby notifythe shopper that a pecuniary check-in reward has been applied to apecuniary check-in reward account of the user. For example, thepecuniary check-in rewards notification screen 546 indicates a balanceof $73.01. The shopper may look at the balance and compare it to theprevious known balance of $72.51 to ascertain the amount of thepecuniary check-in reward applied by scanning of the check-in barcode38. Alternatively, the check-in rewards bar 546 may separately display(temporarily or permanently) the amount of the most recently appliedpecuniary check-in reward and/or a user may actuate the check-in rewardsbar 546 to view a listing of the amount of one or more recent appliedpecuniary check-in reward(s). Audio and/or video generated on the mobilephone 50 may additionally and/or alternatively notify the shopper of theapplication and/or amount of the pecuniary check-in reward and/or of theshopper's account check-in reward.

Optionally, the application may interface with one or more socialnetworking applications such as, for example FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and/orother social networking application. For example, upon checking-in to astore utilizing a mobile electronic device to scan a check-in barcode38, a user may be presented with the option to post a status update orother update to their social networking account notifying other usersthat they have checked-in to a particular store. Optionally, the updatemay provide information concerning the amount of the pecuniary check-inreward that was received for checking-in and/or how the pecuniarycheck-in reward was applied (e.g., a percentage applied to help acharity). Optionally, the application may be configured to interfacewith and automatically post updates to one or more social networkingapplications without manual prompting by a shopper.

The application may also interface with one or more social networkingapplications to enable a shopper to share product reviews, share detailsregarding sales, and/or share information concerning further pecuniaryrewards. A shopper may share such information or other information withall social networking friends or optionally share information only withfriends from a selected group. For example, a shopper may share onlywith: friends only from a selected social networking application;friends who are also user's of the application; friends who belong to ashoppers group; etc.

As described in detail herein, in some embodiments the shopper maychoose to apply pecuniary check-in rewards in one or more of a varietyof different ways. For example, in some embodiments the shopper maychoose to apply pecuniary check-in rewards partially to charity andpartially to a shopper rewards card. Also, for example, in someembodiments the shopper may choose to receive all pecuniary check-inrewards as cash and receive a portion of the cash and donate anotherportion of the cash to a friend.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a tutorial/help button 552 is adjacent thecheck-in button 550 and, when actuated by a shopper, will displaycontent that assists a shopper in utilizing the application. Forexample, content such as text, images, audio, and/or video may beprovided that instructs a shopper how to utilize the check-in feature,how to link shopper information to the application, how to link ashopper's rewards card(s) to the application, and/or how to utilizeother features of the application. The deals may optionally be tailoredto correspond with stores the shopper has previously checked-in toand/or that are related to such stores.

A matrix of icons 554-576 are provided below the check-in button 550 andthe tutorial/help button 552. A daily deals icon 554, when actuated, mayprovide information concerning promotions, coupons, or other dealrelated information pertaining to one or more stores and/or one or moreproducts. For example, clicking on the daily deals icon 554 may directthe mobile phone 50 to a web page containing a listing of the mostpopular deals for the day from a variety of retail stores. For example,the web page may be a forum that contains discussion regarding populardeals as posted and voted on by a variety of users. Also, for example,the web page may be a generated listing of editor selected top dailydeals from retail stores that interface with the application.

A coupons to card icon 556, when actuated, may provide the ability toperuse manufacturer coupons, select one or more coupons of interest, andload those coupons to a shopper rewards card for future use. Forexample, clicking on the coupons to card icon 556 may direct the mobilephone 50 to a listing of active coupons by category, manufacturer,and/or store and enable the shopper to load those coupons to a shopperrewards card, to multiple shopper rewards cards, and/or to theapplication for future use. In some embodiments, the coupons to cardicon 556 may direct the mobile phone 50 to display a screen similar tothe electronic advertisement screen 765 shown in FIG. 19 and describedherein. A national ads icon 558, when actuated, may provide a listing ofnational ads of various stores and provide a shopper the ability toperuse a selection of the national ads as desired. A user may be able toselect items within a given ad to thereby add such items to a shoppinglist feature of the application. In some embodiments, the national adsicon 558 may direct the mobile phone 50 to display a screen similar tothe electronic advertisement screen 731 in FIG. 18 and described herein.Items may also be added to the shopping list feature by scanning abarcode of the item (e.g., before discarding an empty item). Forexample, a shopper may actuate the scan item icon 690 in FIG. 17 which,when actuated, may display a screen similar to the barcode scanningscreen 775 in FIG. 20 and described herein. A recipes icon 560, whenactuated, may provide access to one or more recipes. For example,clicking on the recipes icon 560 may provide access to a web site thatenables perusal of recipes by ingredient, by brand, by popularity, etc.If a user likes a given recipe they may be able to add one or more ofthe recipe ingredients to the shopping list feature of the application.For example, the recipes icon 560, when actuated, may display a screensimilar to the electronic recipe screen 796 in FIG. 21 and describedherein. The shopper may add one or more recipe ingredients 785 to theshopping list feature when the add to list icon is actuated. Also, theapplication may determine if any of the ingredients of the recipe havean active coupon and, if so, add the coupon to the pertinent (e.g., asselected by a user and/or of the store the shopper is in) shopperrewards card of the shopper.

A gift cards icon 562, when actuated, may provide the ability topurchase a gift card for one or more stores. For example, clicking onthe gift cards icon 562 may direct the mobile phone 50 to a listing ofstores and enable a user to purchase a desired denomination of gift cardto that store. Optionally, the gift card may be loaded to theapplication for use and/or may be loaded to a shopper rewards cardassociated with a selected store. In some embodiments the gift card maybe loaded to the application of another shopper (e.g., to a friend as agift) and/or another shopper's shopper rewards card. Also, in someembodiments, the gift card may be purchased, in whole or in part,utilizing earned pecuniary check-in rewards and/or further pecuniaryrewards described herein.

A check-in rewards icon 564, when actuated, may provide additionalinformation related to earned check-in rewards. For example, whenactuated, the check-in rewards icon 564 may direct the mobile phone 50to one or more screens that include information related to a shopper'scheck-in rewards history, current check-in rewards offered by variousstores, a listing of stores participating in check-in rewards, ashopper's current check-in rewards utilization settings, tying ashopper's account check-in rewards into one or more shopper's rewardscards, tying pecuniary check-in rewards into a bank account, providingdemographic information for utilization in applying and/or utilizing thecheck-in rewards, utilizing check-in rewards, etc.

Referring to FIG. 6, a pecuniary check-in reward utilization screen ofthe embodiment of the application for checking-in to a physical store isillustrated. The pecuniary check-in reward utilization screen may be onescreen accessible via actuation of the check-in rewards icon 564.Several different buttons (generally indicated at 5821-5826) aredisplayed in FIG. 6. It is understood that all buttons 5821-5826 may notbe displayed at once and that certain buttons 5822-5826 may not bedisplayed until certain other precursor buttons 5821-5825 are actuated.

Actuation of the check-in dollars conversion button 5821 displays a listof conversion options 5822. The options include “Winn-Dixie,” “KmartShop Your Way,” “My Gas,” “A Friend,” and “My Charity.” Selection ofWinn-Dixie or Kmart Shop Your Way will enable the shopper to manually orautomatically convert all or a portion of the pecuniary check-in dollarsto points, coupons, or other pecuniary interest in respective shoppersrewards cards of Winn-Dixie and Kmart. For example, the shopper maychoose to automatically convert 100% of the check-in dollars to pointson a shopper's rewards card and, upon checking-in to a store, pecuniarycheck-in rewards may be converted to such points. The conversion of thepecuniary check-in rewards may be in addition to the separate shopper'saccount check-in rewards rewarded by the store's shopper rewards programupon checking-in. Also, for example, the shopper may choose toperiodically manually convert pecuniary check-in dollars to shopperrewards points and, upon checking-in to a store, receive check-indollars that may later be converted to shoppers rewards points. Theshopper may be prompted to supply information concerning the respectiveshoppers rewards cards so that the application may appropriately applythe check-in dollars, so that the shopper may appropriately check-in toa store, and/or so that shopper's account check-in rewards may beapplied. For example, the shopper may be prompted to enter demographicdata, data on their shopper rewards card, and/or scan their shopperrewards card utilizing the mobile phone 50.

Selection of My Gas will enable the shopper to manually or automaticallyconvert all or a portion of the check-in dollars to points, coupons, orother pecuniary interest that may be utilized at one or more gasstations. Optionally, the pecuniary interest may be loaded onto ashopper's rewards card associated with the gas station. Alternatively oradditionally, the pecuniary interest may be mailed or electronicallysent (e.g., via the mobile phone 50) to a shopper in the form ofcoupons, points, gift cards, etc. The shopper may be prompted to supplyinformation concerning the respective shoppers rewards cards, desiredgas station, etc. so that the application may appropriately apply thecheck-in dollars.

Selection of A Friend will enable the shopper to manually orautomatically convert all or a portion of the check-in dollars to adesired non-charitable third party. Optionally, the pecuniary interestmay be loaded onto a third party's shopper rewards card associated witha store. Alternatively or additionally, the pecuniary interest may beapplied to a third party's check-in dollars for utilization by the thirdparty as desired. Alternatively, the pecuniary interest may be mailed orelectronically sent (e.g., via e-mail, via EFT, via a social networkingapplication) to a third party in the form of coupons, points, giftcards, cash, check, etc. The shopper may be prompted to supplyinformation concerning the third parties so that the application mayappropriately apply the check-in dollars.

Selection of My Charity, displays a listing of charities 5823. Thecharities may be automatically populated, populated based on selectionsby a user (e.g., searching a database of charities), and/or populatedbased on demographic or other data of a user. Optionally, for anunrecognized charity, the shopper may be prompted for additionalinformation concerning the charity (e.g., the charity's name, address,tax ID number). Also, a shopper may be prompted to enter information tobe eligible for a tax deduction (e.g., shopper's name, address, tax IDnumber) so that a receipt may be sent to the shopper.

Selection of a particular charity from the listing of charities 5823 mayprovide the shopper with the option to manually convert check-in dollars5824 or automatically convert check-in dollars 5825. Manually convertingcheck-in dollars 5824 enables a shopper to select a desired amount ofearned check-in dollars (e.g., a specific dollar amount or a specificpercentage) to apply to a selected charity on a one-time basis.Automatically converting check-in dollars 5825 enables a shopper toselect a percentage (e.g., percentages 5826 or a manually enteredpercentage) of earned check-in dollars to automatically apply to aselected charity. The shopper may choose to apply all previously earnedcheck-in dollars and check-in dollars going forward, or just check-indollars going forward.

Although particular check-in dollar conversion options are depicted inFIG. 6, one of ordinary skill in the art, having had the benefit of thepresent disclosure, will recognize and appreciate that in alternativeembodiments additional and/or alternative check-in dollar conversionoptions may be provided. For example, in some embodiments a cash-outcheck-in dollar conversion option may be provided. A shopper may chooseto have check-in dollars applied directly to an entered bank account(their own or a third parties') or to have a check mailed to them. Thecheck-in dollars may convert to actual cash on a one to one basis insome embodiments or, in alternative embodiments, optionally convert onan alternative basis. Also, for example, in some embodiments a shoppermay choose to convert check-in dollars earned in selected stores tocertain rewards cards, third parties, etc. and convert check-in dollarsearned in selected other stores to other rewards cards, third parties,etc. For example, check-in dollars earned in a given store mayoptionally be worth more if converted to that store's rewards card thanif converted to another store's rewards card.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a scan/compare icon 566 is provided that,when actuated, may provide the ability to scan a barcode of an itemwithin a store and locate additional information concerning the item.For example, clicking on the scan/compare icon 566 may enable the mobilephone 50 to scan an item and, upon scanning of the item, provide alisting of other stores that have the item and the price of the item atother stores. Also, for example, upon scanning of an item, competingproducts in the store may be displayed (e.g., generic brands) andoptionally, information concerning those competing products (e.g.,price, features).

A brand detergent icon 568 is also provided that, when actuated, mayprovide a user with instructions concerning treating stains utilizing acertain brand of detergent. A food icon 570 is also provided that, whenactuated, may provide a user with information (e.g., specials,nutritional information) concerning foods from a certain manufacturer. Amobile cookbook icon 572 is also provided that, when actuated, mayprovide a user with recipes that utilize one or more products from aparticular manufacturer. A kitchen icon 574 is also provided that, whenactuated, may provide a user with recipes and/or other informationconcerning products from a particular manufacturer. Optionally, thedetergent icon 568, the food icon 570, the mobile cookbook icon 572,and/or the kitchen icon 574 may be sponsored by one or moremanufacturers. Optionally, revenue from the sponsorship(s) may beutilized in one or more of the pecuniary rewards described herein.

A baby registry icon 567 is also provided that, when actuated, mayenable a shopper to view products from another shopper's baby registryand/or edit their own registry. The baby registry icon 567 mayoptionally be tied into a registry at a particular store, may combineregistries from a plurality of stores, and/or may serve as a standaloneregistry. The baby registry icon 567 may enable a user to scan an item'sbarcode utilizing the mobile phone 50 to add/remove that item from theirregistry and/or to notify another registry that they are purchasing anitem on that registry.

An advertisement/coupon banner 578 is provided below the icons 554-576.The banner 578 may display one or more sponsored advertisements.Optionally, a shopper may click the banner 578 to obtain additionalinformation regarding the advertisement. For example, the shopper mayclick the banner 578 to be redirected to a website to purchase theproduct being advertised.

Provided below the banner 578 are additional buttons 580-588. The Homebutton 580, when actuated, may direct the shopper to the home screendepicted in FIG. 2 (for example, when the shopper has navigated toanother screen). The My Rewards button 582, when actuated, may directthe shopper to a screen that provides details concerning earned rewards.Optionally, the screen may contain information concerning earnedpecuniary check-in rewards described in detail herein in addition tofurther pecuniary or other rewards that may be earned by a shopper, asdescribed in detail herein. The My Stores button 584, when actuated, maydirect the shopper to a screen that provides details concerning storesthat the shopper has visited and/or has listed as favorite stores. Forexample, the screen may provide details on specials at selected stores,current check-in rewards offered at selected stores, etc. The My Listbutton 586, when actuated, may direct the shopper to a screen thatprovide details concerning user generated lists such as, for example,shopping lists described herein, to do lists, etc. The More button 588,when actuated, provides access to additional icons and/or buttons havingadditional functionality.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a physical store home screen of the embodimentof the application for checking-in to a physical store is depicted. Thestore home screen is optionally displayed after the user has checked-into a given physical store. The store home screen contains many of thesame icons and buttons as the home screen, but also includes storespecific information 590 and store specific icons 592-598. The storespecific information 590 provides the name of the store that the shopperhas checked-in to, in addition to the store number and address. Thestore specific icons 592-598 include a manager specials icon 592, aweekly flyer icon 594, a store directory icon 596, and a selected storeicon 598. The manager specials icon 592, when actuated, may listspecials that may be in addition to regular specials such as, forexample, specials dictated by a manager due to over ordering. Also, forexample, the manager specials icon 592 may include specials that areprovide to selected shoppers only such as, for example, shoppers that:are frequent shoppers to the store; new shoppers to the store; typicallyshop at a competing store; have certain attributes; etc., as determinedby, for example, the application, store rewards program(s) interfacingwith the application, marketing service(s) interfacing with theapplication, and/or supplied demographic information. For example, theapplication may determine that the shopper typically shops at grocerystore A and, if the shopper checks-in to grocery store B, may offer theshopper additional specials to grocery store B.

The weekly flyer icon 594, when actuated, provides a link to the weekly(or other period) flyer that contains the store's current specials.Optionally, the flyer may be tailored to the particular shopper. Forexample, the first pages of the flyer may display items that mayinterest the shopper more than items on the latter pages of the flyer. Ashopper's interest may be determined by, for example, the application,store rewards program(s), marketing services, and/or supplieddemographic information. Also, for example, the flyer may be tailoredbased on the shopping list feature. For example, the weekly flyer maydisplay products and/or items on the electronic shopping list, competingproducts, complimentary product and/or items (e.g., milk and cereal),and/or items which are of the same or similar type of product to one ormore items that are on the shopping list but of a different brand. Thestore directory icon 596, when actuated, provides a link to a map of thestore and/or to an optionally searchable index of the store to assist ashopper in locating particular items. Optionally, the store directoryicon 596 may be tailored to the particular shopper. For example, thelocation of certain items that may interest the shopper may behighlighted in the store directory. The selected store icon 598, whenactuated, may link to information pertaining to the checked-in store.For example, store hours, store features, current store check-inrewards, and/or current further pecuniary rewards may be provided uponactuation of the selected store icon 598.

One or more of the icons and buttons 554-598 described herein may directa user to a web page or other content that contains paid-for material.For example, placement of coupons when the coupons to card icon 556 isselected, may be dictated at least in part by whether a manufacturer haspaid for premium placement. Also, for example, the listing of availablegift cards may be dependent, at least in part, by whether a manufacturerhas paid for placement in the listing. Also, for example, icons 568-576,ticker 548, and banner 578 may optionally contain paid-for material. Thecheck-in dollars that are applied to a shopper's check-in rewards mayoptionally be derived from such paid-for material and/or from one ormore of a variety of other sources. For example, the check-in dollarsmay additionally or alternatively be derived from a participation feederived from stores for enabling the stores to interface with thecheck-in rewards application. Optionally, the check-in dollars that areapplied to a shopper's check-in rewards may be a fixed percentage(optionally with a cap) of revenue derived from certain sources.

One or more of the icons 554-598 described herein may direct a user to aweb page or other content that is at least partially tailored to ashopper. For example, information displayed upon actuation of the dailydeals icon 554 may be based at least in part on the purchasing historyof the shopper, demographics of the shopper, and/or the electronicshopping list of the shopper. Also, one or more of the icons 554-598 maybe based at least in part tailored to a particular shopper and tailoredto the store that the shopper has checked-in to. For example, one ormore of the icons may be tailored to a shopper based on his demographicsand/or shopping history (as determined by the application, from one ormore interfacing shoppers rewards programs, and/or information from oneor more shopper marketing companies) and may also be tailored to thestore that the shopper has checked-in to. For example, the coupons tocard icon 556 may be tailored to include only items that are within thestore that the shopper has checked-in to and to include only items thatcompete with items the shopper has previously purchased. Also, forexample, the coupons to card icon 556 may be tailored to include onlyitems that are on the electronic shopping list of the shopper.

Although particular icons are depicted and described herein, one ofordinary skill in the art, having had the benefit of the presentdisclosure, will recognize and appreciate that in alternativeembodiments one or more of the icons may be replaced with other icons,buttons, and/or links. For example, other icons such as a health iconthat displays health information concerning foods, a pharmacy icon thatdisplays information pertaining to a store's pharmacy, a weddingregistry icon, a social networking icon that provides access to a socialnetworking application and/or one or more social networking features,and/or a product recall icon that displays information pertaining toproduct recalls (optionally, based upon a shopper's purchase history)may additionally or alternatively be provided. The particular icons thatare displayed may optionally be partially or wholly dictated by a user.Moreover, actuation of the depicted or alternative icons by a shoppermay result in additional and/or alternative functionality than describedherein.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart of an embodiment of providing asubstantially instantaneous pecuniary reward to a mobile electronicdevice is illustrated. At step 111 store identification data from amobile electronic device such as, for example, mobile phone 50, a tabletcomputer, or PDA is received. The store identification data is encodedin the check-in barcode of the store that was scanned by the mobileelectronic device. In some embodiments software on the mobile electronicdevice decodes the check-in barcode and supplies store identificationdata contained therein. In other embodiments the mobile electronicdevice may provide an image of the check-in barcode and storeidentification data contained therein is decoded therefrom.

At step 112, the store is identified based at least in part on thereceived store identification data. In some embodiments the store isidentified based wholly on store identification data. In otherembodiments the store may be identified based on store identificationdata and geolocation data. Geolocation data includes electronic datasupplied by the mobile electronic device that indicates (directly orindirectly) the location thereof such as GPS data, cell phone towerdata, and/or IP address data. The geolocation data may be utilized toverify that the shopper is actually at a store (e.g, to verify that theshopper is not scanning a copied check-in barcode). In some embodimentsthe check-in barcode at a store may be periodically changed at the store(and updated in the database) to minimize copying of check-in barcodes.The geolocation data may additionally or alternatively be utilized tohelp narrow which store a user is at out of a plurality of storesindicated in the store identification data. For example, the storeidentification data may indicate a Winn-Dixie, but not specify thelocation. The geolocation data may be utilized to ascertain the exactlocation.

At step 113, shopper identification data is received from the mobileelectronic device. The shopper identification data may include, forexample, one or more shopper rewards numbers, demographic data suppliedby the user, and/or an internal shopper identification number utilizedto identify a user of the application. For example, each user of theapplication described herein may be referenced with an internal shopperidentification number to identify the user. The shopper identificationnumber may be sent by the mobile electronic device. Also, for example,each user of the application described herein may be referenced with anidentifying number of the mobile electronic device (e.g., phone number,SIM number, or other identifier) that may be sent by the mobileelectronic device.

At step 114, a substantially instantaneous pecuniary check-in reward isprovided to the shopper. For example, a pecuniary check-in reward iscredited to the check-in rewards account. The pecuniary check-in rewardmay be standard or may based on one or more factors. For example, thereward may be based on which store the shopper checked-in to, how manytimes the user has checked-in to the store, what other stores theshopper has checked-in to, the purchasing history of the shopper, howmany times the shopper has checked-in to other stores, and/ordemographics information of the shopper. As discussed herein, a separateshopper's account check-in reward may also optionally be applied andcredited to the shopper's shopper rewards account. The shopper's accountcheck-in reward may be standard or may be based on one or more factorssuch as, for example, which store the shopper checked-in to, how manytimes the user has checked-in to the store, what other stores theshopper has checked-in to, the purchasing history of the shopper, howmany times the shopper has checked-in to other stores, whether a shopperis sharing an electronic shopping list via a mobile electronic device,and/or demographics information of the shopper.

At step 115, pecuniary check-in reward data is sent to the mobileelectronic device. The pecuniary check-in reward data may include datathat enables the mobile electronic device to notify the shopper that apecuniary check-in reward has been applied to the shopper's account.Optionally, detailed information regarding the amount of the pecuniarycheck-in reward may also be provided. Also, optionally, the shopper maybe provided with additional pecuniary check-in reward data such as thetotal of all pecuniary check-in rewards that the shopper has receivedand not yet utilized. Separate shopper's account check-in reward datamay also optionally be sent to the mobile electronic device that mayenable the mobile electronic device to notify the shopper that shopper'saccount check-in reward points have been credited to the shopper'sshopper rewards account.

At step 116, the mobile electronic device is directed to at least oneretail store screen that contains data specifically tailored to thespecific retail store. Optionally, the retail store screen (or screensaccessible therefrom) may additionally contain data specificallytailored to the shopper as described herein. In some embodiments aserver may direct the mobile electronic device to a screen and mayoptionally load data to the mobile electronic device. In otherembodiments the mobile electronic device may automatically direct itselfto a retail store screen. For example, in some embodiments the check-inbarcode may contain a link to a store specific web page and the mobileelectronic device may navigate to that page following scanning of thecheck-in barcode. In some of those embodiments the mobile electronicdevice may further navigate to a shopper specific page based on, forexample, shopper identification data (e.g., shopper rewards number;application account number; mobile phone ID data).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart of an embodiment of providing asubstantially instantaneous further pecuniary reward to a mobileelectronic device is illustrated. The further pecuniary reward isseparate and distinct from the pecuniary check-in reward and is rewardedfor an action that occurs after checking-in. The further pecuniaryreward may be in the form of cash, vouchers, gift cards, etc. Thefurther pecuniary reward may be kept in an account separate from thepecuniary check-in rewards or may optionally be combined with thepecuniary check-in rewards account.

At step 121, further recordable event data is received from a mobileelectronic device or from another device. For example, data thatindicates a user has viewed recipes via the mobile cookbook icon 572 maybe transmitted by the mobile electronic device and/or by a serverhosting the mobile cookbook. Also, for example, data that indicates auser has viewed an advertisement within banner 578 may be transmitted bythe mobile electronic device and/or a server hosting the advertisementor link associated with the advertisement. Also, for example, data thatindicates a user has selected the coupons to card icon 556, applied acoupon, and purchased a product utilizing the coupon may be communicatedfrom the mobile electronic device or from servers associated with aretail store. Also, for example, data that indicates a user has viewedrecipes via the mobile cookbook icon 572 and purchased a productutilized in the recipe may be communicated from the mobile electronicdevice or from servers associated with a retail store. Also, forexample, data that indicates that a user has provided an electronicshopping list may be communicated from the mobile electronic device orfrom the servers associated with a retail store.

At step 122 a further substantially instantaneous pecuniary reward isprovided to the shopper. For example, substantially instantaneously uponreceipt of data from the mobile electronic device and/or from anotherdevice that indicates the shopper has performed a further recordableaction, a further pecuniary reward is credited to the shopper's account.The further pecuniary reward may be standard or may based on one or morefactors. For example, the further pecuniary reward may be based on whatthe further action was, whether a product was actually purchased, whatproduct (if any) is involved, the purchasing history of the shopper,and/or demographics information of the shopper.

At step 123, further pecuniary reward data is substantiallyinstantaneously sent to the mobile electronic device. The furtherpecuniary reward data may include data that enables the mobileelectronic device to notify the shopper that a further pecuniary rewardhas been applied to the shopper's account. Optionally, detailedinformation regarding the amount of the further pecuniary reward mayalso be provided. Also, optionally, the shopper may be provided withadditional further pecuniary rewards data such as the total of allfurther pecuniary rewards that the shopper has received and not yetutilized. Also, optionally the shopper may be notified via the mobileelectronic device that upon performing a further action additionalfurther pecuniary rewards may be obtained. For example, upon viewing arecipe via the mobile cookbook icon 572 the shopper may be provided witha further pecuniary reward and notified that if one or more of the itemsin the recipe is purchased, an additional further pecuniary reward maybe obtained.

The earned further pecuniary rewards may optionally be applied in amanner similar to that described with respect to pecuniary check-inrewards. For example, the further pecuniary rewards may optionally beconverted from one format to another format (e.g., received in dollarsand converted to rewards points). Also, for example, the furtherpecuniary rewards may optionally be automatically or manually applied toa third party, a charity, a bank account, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of an embodiment of providing atleast one tailored retail screen to a shopper is illustrated. At step130, store identification data is received from a mobile electronicdevice. The store identification data may be encoded in the check-inbarcode of the store that was scanned by the mobile electronic device.In some embodiments software on the mobile electronic device decodes thecheck-in barcode and supplies store identification data containedtherein. In other embodiments the mobile electronic device may providean image of the check-in barcode and store identification data containedtherein is decoded therefrom.

At step 131 the store is identified based at least in part on thereceived store identification data. In some embodiments the store isidentified based wholly on the store identification data. In otherembodiments the store may be identified based on the storeidentification data and geolocation data.

At step 132 shopper identification data is received from the mobileelectronic device. The shopper identification data may include, forexample, one or more shopper rewards numbers, demographic data suppliedby the user, mobile electronic device identification data, and/or aninternal shopper identification number utilized to identify a user ofthe application.

At step 133, the mobile electronic device is directed to at least oneretail store screen tailored to the shopper. For example, in someembodiments a shopper may select a store flyer icon within theapplication that directs the shopper to a store flyer that isspecifically arranged based upon shopping habits, demographic data, anelectronic shopping list compiled by the shopper and supplied by themobile electronic device, or other information pertaining to theparticular shopper. Also, for example, in some embodiments a shopper maybe presented with specific specials based upon shopping habits,demographic data, an electronic shopping list compiled by the shopperand supplied by the mobile electronic device, or other informationpertaining to the particular shopper.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an embodiment of a system for checking-in to aphysical store is illustrated. A shopping cart 220 is illustrated havinga basket 222 and a handle 224 extending rearward from the basket 222. Acheck-in barcode 238 is provided on an insert that is attached to a sideof the basket 222. The insert includes instructions 239 related toutilization of the check-in barcode 238. Optionally, the insert isremovably attached to the basket 222.

A mobile phone 50 and a tablet computer 250 are depicted in FIG. 10interacting with the system for checking-in to a physical store. Themobile phone 50 and tablet computer 250 may be utilized to, inter alia,scan the check-in barcode 238. The mobile phone 50 is in networkcommunication with a server 212 of the system via a cell phone tower 203and data lines (including any associated intermediary switches, servers,etc.) extending between the cell phone tower 203 and server 212. Thetablet computer 250 is in network communication with a wireless router205 that is in communication with a server 212 of the system via anintermediary in-store computer 214 and data lines (including anyassociated intermediary switches, servers, etc.) extending between thein-store computer 214 and server 212. In alternative embodiments thetablet computer 250 may be in communication with the cell phone tower203. The in-store computer 214 may be omitted in some embodiments andthe router 205 may simply be connected directly to the internet or othernetwork. Also, both the router 205 and the in-store computer 214 may beomitted in some embodiments.

The server 212 may perform one or more of the server side functionsdescribed herein. The mobile phone 50 and tablet computer 250 mayperform one or more of the mobile electronic device side functionsdescribed herein. It is understood that the server 212 may optionallyperform one or more mobile phone 50 and tablet computer 250 functions asdesired (for example, when the mobile phone 50 and/or tablet computer250 has limited functionality or when it is desirable to remotelyperform some functions) and/or the mobile phone 50 and tablet computer250 may optionally perform one or more of the functions of the server212 (for example, when it is desirable to remotely perform somefunctions of the server 212). Optionally, the in-store computer 214 maybe programmed to perform one or more of the functions that mightotherwise be performed by the server 212. For example, the in-storecomputer 214 may be accessed by a user to program and/or deliver one ormore aspects of store specific content to a user (via router 205 and/orserver 212). For example, the in-store computer 214 may be utilized todeliver one or more manager specials to shoppers that utilize theapplication described herein via wi-fi in the store.

Also depicted in FIG. 10 is a store shopper rewards account server 207and a marketing server 209 that are each in communication with theserver 212. The store shopper rewards account server 207 may containinformation pertaining to a store's shopper rewards account. Inembodiments where separate shopper's account check-in rewards areprovided, the store shopper rewards account server 207 may receivecheck-in information from server 212 to thereby enable the applicationof a shopper's account check-in reward to a shopper's shopper rewardsaccount. The store shopper rewards account server 207 may also provideinformation to server 212 such as, for example, the amount of theshopper's account check-in reward provided to the shopper and/or theshopper's current shopper rewards balance. It is understood that theserver 212 may be in communication with multiple shopper rewards accountservers 207 that correspond to shopper rewards accounts of differentstores.

The marketing server 209 may contain information pertaining to ashopper's purchasing history. For example, the marketing server 209 mayinclude information from a marketing company such as, for example,CATALINA MARKETING of St. Petersburg, Fla. The marketing server 209 mayprovide information to server 212 that enables server 212 to delivertailored information to a shopper. For example, information from themarketing server 209 may help tailor the store page and/or specials thata shopper sees after checking-in. The server 212 may provide identifyinginformation (e.g., demographics, shopper rewards data, electronicshopping list, other identifier) of the shopper to the marketing server209 to thereby enable the marketing server 209 to provide pertinent datafor the shopper. It is understood that the server 212 may be incommunication with multiple marketing servers 209.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, targeted advertisement screens of theapplication for checking-in to a physical store are illustrated. Thescreens may optionally be displayed to a shopper after the rewardnotification screen of FIG. 4 and prior to the store home screen of FIG.5. FIG. 11 illustrates a screen showing a first targeted advertisement591, FIG. 12 illustrates a screen showing a second targetedadvertisement 592, and FIG. 3 illustrates a screen showing a thirdtargeted advertisement 593. Smaller versions of each of the threetargeted advertisements 591A, 592A, and 593A are also provided on eachof the screens. Each of the screens of FIGS. 11-13 may be displayed fora given amount of time before transitioning to the next screen. Ashopper may actuate the smaller versions of the targeted advertisements591A, 592A, and 593A to manually transition between the screens.

The targeted advertisements in FIGS. 11-13 may be pertinent to thephysical store that the shopper has checked-in to and/or to the shopper.For example, the targeted advertisements 591-593 may be based upon pastshopping experiences of the shopper as ascertained from the application,a shopper rewards program of the store, a shopper rewards program ofanother store, and/or from one or more marketing companies. Also, forexample, the targeted advertisements 591-593 may be based upon anelectronic shopping list that has been submitted by a shopper. A shoppermay optionally receive further pecuniary rewards for viewing thetargeted advertisements 591-593.

FIG. 14 illustrates a transitional screen of the embodiment of theapplication for checking-in to a physical store that may be displayedafter the third targeted advertisement 593 is displayed for a period oftime. The transitional screen enables the user to actuate the startshopping button 594 or the back button 595. The start shopping button594 may direct the shopper to a store home screen such as the store homescreen of FIG. 5. The back button 595 may direct the shopper back to thetargeted advertisement screens of FIGS. 11-13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic of an example environment of a systemfor enabling a mobile electronic device to transmit an electronicshopping list to one or more servers. In the example embodiment, amobile electronic device 615 may send information, such as an electronicshopping list, to a centralized server 605. In some embodiments themobile electronic device 615 may send information to more than oneserver 605. The server 605 may receive coupon data and/or otherpecuniary reward from one or more coupon sources 600 pertinent topotential coupons and/or other pecuniary rewards to provide to shopperswho access the server 605 using a mobile electronic device 615. Asdiscussed herein, aspects of the coupon data may be specific to theinformation provided to the server 605 by the mobile electronic device615. In some embodiments the server 605 is operated by a specific retailchain and may be present in a particular store or off-site andaccessible via network 610. In some embodiments the server 605 may beoperated by a third party. The server 605 may be in communication withseveral coupon sources 600 which may include specific retail locations,retail chains, and/or product manufacturers. In some implementations thecentralized server may not access an outside source for coupons and maydistribute coupons that are stored internally in the centralized server605. In some embodiments the coupon source 600 may be operated by aspecific retail store, which may further analyze the providedinformation to determine whether coupons or other monetary incentiveswill be transmitted to the shopper. In some embodiments the electronicshopping list will be submitted directly to a server that is specificfor a particular retail store.

In some embodiments a manager and/or other employee associated with astore may optionally select and/or provide a coupon based on analysis ofcontents of a transmitted shopping list. For example, an employee may bepresented with items from a shopping list, optionally along withdemographic information of a shopper associated with those items, andprovide one or more coupons or other pecuniary awards associated withthose items. For example, a manager may note a shopper has a largeamount of items on the shopping list, is a frequent shopper, and mayincentivize the shopper to purchase all items on the shopping list byoffering money off of the total bill if at least a certain percentage ofitems on the shopping list are purchased. In some embodiments anemployee and/or a server may additionally and/or alternatively utilizethe shopping list to provide the shopper with additional informationrelated to one or more items on the shopping list. For example, adatabase of aisle locations for items in a particular store may beaccessed and the aisle location for one or more items provided to mobileelectronic device 615 for display in combination with such items. Forexample, an aisle location for an item may be listed beside the item inthe shopping list. Also, for example, an employee associated with thestore and/or one or more servers may analyze a shopping list, identifyat least one item, and provide a user information related to that item.For example, identification of a particular item on a shopping list mayresult in a user and/or server providing the shopper with informationrelated to the location of the item, instructions on how to use theitem, other items that may complement that item, information related tocompeting items, etc.

FIG. 16 illustrates another schematic of an example environment of asystem for enabling a mobile electronic device to transmit an electronicshopping list to one or more servers via a network. The user hascompiled an electronic shopping list 630 which contains three types ofproducts 635, each associated with a unique brand and a unique intendedretail location for purchasing each product. In some embodiments one ormore of those elements may not be present. For example, in someembodiments Product 1 may be associated with Store 1 but not associatedwith any particular brand. In some embodiments the shopper may not havethe option or may not be required to specify brand of a product topurchase and/or intended retail location to purchase a product. In someembodiments additional and/or alternative information may be associatedwith products, such as cost of the product and/or a coupon associatedwith a product on the electronic shopping list. The user submits theelectronic shopping list 630 to an aggregate server 625. In someembodiments the electronic shopping list 630 may be sent as illustratedin FIG. 15 via a network 610 using a mobile electronic device 615 to acentralized server 605. The aggregate server 625 combines coupons and/oroffers from a number of retail store servers 620 and may distributecoupons and/or other pecuniary reward to the shopper based at least inpart on product type, intended retail store to purchase, and/or brand.In some embodiments the aggregate server 625 may combine offers from oneor more retail stores and/or manufacturers. In some embodiments theaggregate server 625 may be operated by a party that analyzes the datain the electronic shopping list 630 and determines which retail storeservers 620 will receive specific information on the shopping list,based on the data associated with each item on the shopping list. Theaggregate server 625 may selectively forward various items and some orall of the data associated with each forwarded item to one or moreretail store servers 620.

In some embodiments the retail server will receive all of theinformation contained in the electronic shopping list. In someembodiments the retail server will only be provided with information onitems that are associated with that particular retail store. In someembodiments, the retail server may receive information about types ofproducts on the electronic shopping list without the associated stores.For example, certain items may be stripped of information regarding theassociated retail store and/or brand of a product when a product isforwarded to a store to entice a retail store to offer a product of thedesired type to the shopper without knowing all of the details of theshopper's intended purchase. This may encourage a retail store to offerthe shopper a discounted store brand of a product without revealing tothe retail store any more information than needed. Also, for example,the aggregate server 625 may filter products on an electronic shoppinglist to eliminate products which are not sold at a particular store,such as filtering milk off of a shopping list that is to be forwarded toa home goods store.

In some embodiments an electronic mobile device may transmit a messageto a server associated with a store indicating that the shopper ispresent at the store location. Additionally and/or alternatively, aserver associated with a store may transmit a message to nearby mobileelectronic devices to invite a shopper to check in to the retail store.The association of a shopper with a particular store may require one ormore actions by the shopper to make the association. For example, theshopper may scan a check-in code located at the retail store in a mannersimilar to certain embodiments of checking in described herein. Also,for example, the shopper may enter an alphanumeric code that is presentat the store location. The association between the shopper and theretail location may utilize one or more technologies from the mobileelectronic device to detect presence. Additionally and/or alternatively,the shopper may have a list of retail stores to associate with and theshopper may choose the store with which the shopper would like to checkin. The mobile electronic device may additionally and/or alternativelytransmit location information to a retail store using, for example,cellular tower signal triangulation, GPS data, and/or Wi-Fi technology.The electronic mobile device may send the electronic shopping list tothe store once an association with the store has been established and/orthe mobile electronic device may wait for instructions to transmit theshopping list from the user. In some embodiments the electronic shoppinglist may be transmitted by a shopper independent of an association beingestablished with a store. Any of these technologies may be used alone orin any combination. For example, the shopper may arrive at a store andwould like to check-in with the store. The shopper may locate a QR scancode and/or an alphanumeric code to enter to alert the store of theshopper's presence. The electronic shopping list may be sent to theretail store and/or the mobile electronic device may prompt the shopperto send the electronic shopping list. In some embodiments the electronicshopping list may be sent to the retail store once the shopper and thestore have been associated. For example, once a shopper has checked inwith a store, the mobile electronic device may ask the shopper if theelectronic shopping list should be transmitted to the retail store. Ifthe shopper confirms the transmission, the mobile electronic device cansend the electronic shopping list to the store. In some implementationsthe shopper will not be prompted to send the electronic shopping listand the mobile electronic device may automatically transmit the listupon association with the store.

In some embodiments the electronic shopping list may be provided to aserver in response to a shopper indicating a desire to shop at aparticular store. In some embodiments the desire may be indicatedthrough one or more methods and/or apparatus used to detect the presenceof a shopper in the vicinity of a store. In some embodiments theassociation between the shopper and a retail store may allow a shopperto transmit an electronic shopping list. For example, a server or otherdevice associated with a store may detect the presence of the shopperwhen the shopper arrives at a store and offer the shopper the option tosend a part or all of an electronic shopping list to the store. In someembodiments the electronic shopping list of a shopper may beautomatically transmitted to a server or other device associated with astore once a shopper has been associated with a store.

The device may send the electronic shopping list 630 to one or moreservers associated with the retail store. In some embodiments, after theserver has received the shopping list, it may provide incentives to theshopper in order to entice the shopper to buy one or more items from thelist at the retail store instead of purchasing the item at an alternatestore. For example, the server associated with the retail store may sendthe shopper an electronic coupon for a product on the list which mayincentivize the shopper to purchase the product at the retail store bylowering the price of the item. The item-specific incentives mayoriginate with the retail store and/or from the producer of the item.Some incentives may be for an item of the same type as an item on theshopper's list but for a different brand of the product. For example,the shopper may have a specific brand of olive oil on the shopping listand the retail store may send the shopper an electronic coupon thatoffers a discount on a store brand olive oil. Also, for example, theshopper may indicate an alternative store where the shopper intends topurchase an item on the shopping list and the retail store may offer acoupon for its store to entice the shopper to purchase the product whileshopping at the retail store instead of purchasing the product at arival store. For example, the shopper may indicate that dish liquid willbe purchased at Store 2, so Store 1 may offer a coupon for the same itemor a similar item to the shopper to influence the shopper to buy theitem at Store 1.

In some embodiments the server associated with the retail store receivesinformation about items on an electronic shopping list, the server mayanalyze the items that it has received to determine whether the serverhas one or more coupons or other pecuniary rewards to provide to theshopper and/or if it is desirable to generate and/or enable generationof one or more coupons or other pecuniary rewards. The server mayretrieve information on coupons from another server (e.g., operated by aspecific manufacturer for a product), an additional server operated bythe retail store, and/or a third party aggregate server of coupons fromone or more different manufacturers. For example, a retail server mayreceive an electronic shopping list which lists “Brand 1 Dish Liquid.”The retail server may analyze a database of offers and send the shoppera coupon for $1.00 off the price of “Brand 1 Dish Liquid.” In someembodiments, the retail server may consult an additional databaseoperated by the retail store to retrieve coupons for “Brand 1 DishLiquid” to send to the shopper in response to the shopping list. In someembodiments the server may consult a database operated by “Brand 1”which may then send offers to either the store server to send to theshopper or directly send the coupons to the shopper. In some embodimentsthe server may additionally and/or alternatively consult a databaseoperated by “Brand 2,” which competes with Brand 1 to send a coupon for“Brand 2 Dish Liquid.” Also, the server may present one or more items ona shopper's electronic shopping list to an individual associated withthe store to enable the individual to offer coupons or other pecuniaryreward to the individual via the mobile electronic device. The offeredpecuniary reward may be chosen from a plurality of preselected potentialrewards and/or may be created by the individual and optionally tailoredto the particular shopper and/or tailored to the other items on theparticular electronic shopping list.

Referring to FIG. 17, a shopper may access an electronic shopping list640 by actuating the My List icon 586 (FIG. 2). The electronic shoppinglist 640 may show a number of items 650, 655, 660, 665, 670 which theshopper has selected to highlight as possible purchases in a retailstore. An item displayed on the shopping list screen 640 may have aretail store (such as 665 and 670) and/or a product brand (such as 650and 655) associated with the item and/or an item on the list may nothave a retail store or a product brand associated with the item (such as660). Additionally, the shopping list may display a discount valueassociated with the item (such as 655). In the displayed electronicshopping list 640, the shopper has added olive oil with an associatedbrand “Brand 6” 655. The olive oil also has an associated couponincentive of $0.75 off the purchase of the product. The shopper mayalter the contents of the electronic shopping using an “Edit List” icon680, such as changing the description of an item, the brand of the item,and/or the specified location to purchase an item. Additionally, theshopper may mark an item for removal, such as when an item has beenpurchased, using a checkmark 645 and then requesting the checked itemsto be removed using the clear checked items icon 690. In someembodiments the products on the electronic shopping list may be removedwhen the shopper checks out and has purchased a product on the list. Forexample, a shopper who has transmitted an electronic shopping list to aretail store may also have a loyalty card with the same store. When theshopper produces the loyalty card at check out, information related tothe products purchased by the shopper may be transmitted to the store.After check out, the store may transmit a message to a server and/or themobile electronic device of a shopper to remove one or more items whichhave been purchased by the shopper and that were previously on theelectronic shopping list.

The shopper may add items to the shopping list using the “Add Item” textbox 682 by manually entering a description of a product. When a shopperselects the text box 682, a touch-screen keyboard may appear and allowthe user to enter text that is descriptive of an item to be purchased.Additionally and/or alternatively, the shopper may be presented withoptions to enter a store to purchase an item and/or a brand for aproduct. Additionally and/or alternatively, the shopper may be able touse voice recognition software present on the mobile electronic deviceto audibly describe a product which may then be translated into text.The item may then appear on the electronic shopping list 640.

Referring to FIG. 18, the mobile electronic device displaying an exampleof an electronic advertisement screen is displayed. The electronicadvertisement screen 731 displays four advertisements 726 from anelectronic flyer, which may be distributed by a particular store, aparticular manufacturer, and/or a third party advertiser. Eachadvertisement 726 may display a visual representation of the productthat is advertised 725 and may include additional information about theproduct, such as a product description, amount of discount, discountedprice, and/or price before a discount. Each advertisement may have an“add to my list” icon 730 associated with the advertisement. Add to mylist icon 730, when actuated, may add the product 725 to the electronicshopping list. Additionally and/or alternatively, the “add to my list”icon 730 may associate the source of the advertisement 726 with theproduct on the electronic shopping list. For example, the shopper maydesire to purchase the camera in the upper-right advertisement of theelectronic advertisement screen 731. The advertisements 726 may havebeen transmitted to the mobile electronic device by Store 1, whichcarries the camera and is currently selling the camera at a discount.Upon adding the camera to the electronic shopping list, Store 1 may alsobe associated with the product in the electronic shopping list to remindthe shopper to purchase the camera at Store 1.

The electronic advertisement screen 731 may be displayed in response tothe shopper actuating the daily deals icon 554, the national ads icon558, and/or an alternative icon on the mobile electronic device. Aprevious screen may be accessed using the back icon 685. Additionallyand/or alternatively, a shopper may add items to the electronic shoppinglist using the “add to my list” icon 697 which may add a selectedadvertisement, a page of advertisements, and/or all of theadvertisements in an electronic flyer. In the illustrated embodiment,the shopper may share one or more advertisements and/or coupons usingthe “Share” option 696. This option may post the advertisements orcoupons to a social media site, such as FACEBOOK and TWITTER, or enablethe shopper to email one or more advertisements in the electronic flyerto another account (e.g., informing a friend of a current sale at aretail store).

Referring to FIG. 19, an electronic advertisement screen 765 for addingadvertisements to a rewards card is illustrated. The advertisementsdisplayed on the electronic advertisement screen 765 may have a visualrepresentation of a product 745 and/or a written description of aproduct 770. Each advertisement 740 may contain an incentive to purchasethe product, such as a discount. Additionally and/or alternatively, oneor more of the advertisements 740 may contain a load icon 755 which mayallow a shopper to add the discount information in the advertisement toa shopper rewards card. In some embodiments the load icon 755 mayadditionally add the item to the electronic shopping list. The discountmay be applied to a purchase when the shopper checks out of the store.For example, the shopper may decide to purchase the olive oil that isshow in the first advertisement 740. The shopper may choose the loadicon 755 and the discount for the olive oil may be associated with theshopper's rewards card account. When the shopper pays for the itemspurchased in the store, the retail store may associate the purchaseditem with the advertisement and apply the discount at that time (in thiscase, $0.75 off the olive oil). In some embodiments, the shopper mayshare one or more advertisements and/or coupons using the “Share” option696. This option may post the advertisements or coupons to a socialmedia site, such as FACEBOOK and TWITTER, or enable the shopper to emailone or more advertisements in the electronic flyer to another account(e.g., informing a friend of a current sale at a retail store).

Referring to FIG. 20, a sample screen of a scanning feature isillustrated. The scanning screen 775 displays an image of a barcode 780that may be visible when a shopper is holding the mobile phone 50 suchthat a mobile device camera has a barcode 780 in its field of view at asufficiently close distance to capture and/or read contents. Thescanning screen 775 may optionally remain visible for an amount of timeto provide the shopper with verification that the barcode 780 wasscanned by the mobile phone 50. Optionally, video, images, and/or audiomay be provided in the viewfinder area and/or elsewhere on the screen orfrom the mobile phone 50 to additionally or alternatively instruct theshopper how to scan a barcode 780. The barcode may be a universalproduct code (UPC) which a shopper would to add to an electronicshopping list. The product may be a product which the user finds in aretail store or the product may be a product that a shopper findselsewhere and would like to add to the electronic shopping list. Forexample, the shopper may run out of a product at home and scan the UPCcode of the empty product as a reminder to later purchase the product atthe store. Alternatively, the scanning screen 775 may be used to scan abarcode that is present in a retail store, such as at the entrance ofthe store or on a flyer near a product. Scanning of the barcode maycause the mobile device to add the product to the shopper's electronicshopping list or may be used to send the user a coupon or special offerbased on the product. For example, the mobile device may consult adatabase to identify the UPC as corresponding to a purchaseable itemand, in response, add the item to the shopping list. In some embodimentsscanning of a QR code (or other barcode) may retrieve certaininformation from the QR code and/or cause one or more items associatedwith the QR code to be added to the electronic shopping list. Forexample, scanning of a QR code associated with a recipe may cause awebpage to be retrieved by the mobile electronic device. The webpage maybe associated with the recipe and the URL of the webpage may optionallybe embedded in the QR code. The scanning of the QR code may optionallyadditionally present the user with the option of adding ingredients fromthe recipe to the electronic shopping list.

Referring to FIG. 21, a digital recipe feature is illustrated. Thedigital recipe 785 may be accessed through the mobile cookbook icon 572(FIG. 2) which, when actuated, may display one or more recipes that areretrieved from a website or a recipe which is stored on the electronicdevice. The digital recipe 785 may include a list of ingredients whichmay be added to the shopper's electronic shopping list by actuating the“Add to List” icon 790. Additionally, the shopper may mark a recipe forlater reference using the “Add to Favorites” icon 795. The shopper maychoose to add the ingredients of the recipe to an electronic shoppinglist and the ingredients will appear on the list. For example, a recipemay require one pound of blueberries, which may be added to the shoppinglist and would then appear on the electronic shopping list (such asshopping list entry 660 on FIG. 17). Added items may be associated witha particular brand and/or retail store based on a recipe and/or userpreferences. For example, a recipe may be published by Store 1 which,when a shopper adds the recipe ingredients to an electronic shoppingitem, may associate Store 1 with the added recipe ingredients. Also, forexample, Brand 1 may publish a recipe which, when the recipe ingredientsare added to an electronic shopping list, associates Brand 1 with theitems that are manufactured by Brand 1. Also, for example, the shoppermay have the option to add a brand and/or retail store with one or moreingredients that have been added to the electronic shopping list.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

1. A computer implemented method of utilizing an electronic shoppinglist, comprising: electronically receiving data from a mobile electronicdevice that uniquely identifies a shopper and presence of said shopperat a physical retail store; electronically receiving in combination withsaid data, an electronic shopping list generated by said shopper, saidelectronic shopping list identifying products in which the shopper hasinterest in purchasing and retail source information uniquelyidentifying at least one associated retail location to purchase each ofsaid products on said electronic shopping list; identifying at least oneselected product of said products; and transmitting a product-specificspecial offer to said mobile electronic device, said product-specificspecial offer specific to said selected product of said electronicshopping list.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said product-specificspecial offer is specific to said physical retail store.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein said physical retail store is a competing store tosaid associated retail location of one or more of said products.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said product-specific special offer is for acompeting product to said selected product.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein said product-specific special offer requires purchase of saidselected product in combination with additional products not on saidelectronic shopping list.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said mobileelectronic device identifies presence of said shopper at said physicalstore from at least one of GPS data, scanning a check-in code, andWi-Fi.
 7. A computer implemented method of utilizing an electronicshopping list, comprising: electronically receiving an electronicshopping list generated by a shopper, said electronic shopping listidentifying products in which the shopper has interest in purchasing andincluding at least one associated retail store for one or more of saidproducts, said shopping list including a first product of said productsassociated with a first retail store of said at least one associatedretail store; identifying, in response to receiving said shopping list,a first special offer associated with said first product; and notifyingsaid shopper via a mobile electronic device of said first special offer,said first special offer useable at a retail location distinct from saidfirst retail store.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingelectronically receiving a second product of said products associatedwith a second retail store of said at least one retail store, said firstretail store and said second retail store distinct from one another. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein said retail location is associated withsaid second retail store.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said retaillocation is a competitor of said first retail store and said secondretail store.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein said first product isassociated with a first brand.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein saidfirst special offer is associated with a particular brand that isdistinct from said first brand.
 13. A computer implemented method,comprising: receiving a first request from a shopper to add a firstproduct to an electronic shopping list of said shopper, said firstrequest originating from a mobile electronic device and including afirst product information uniquely identifying said first product and afirst retail source information uniquely identifying a first retaillocation to purchase said first product; receiving a second request froma shopper to add a second product to an electronic shopping list of saidshopper, said second request originating from a mobile electronic deviceand including a second product information uniquely identifying saidsecond product and a second retail source information uniquelyidentifying a second retail location to purchase said second product;adding said first product information to said electronic shopping list;adding said second product information to said electronic shopping list;associating said first retail source information with said first productinformation; associating said second retail source information with saidsecond product information; providing said electronic shopping list tosaid shopper for display; and providing said electronic shopping list toat least one server for analysis of said electronic shopping list inresponse to association of said shopper at a specific retail location.14. The method of claim 13, wherein said request is generated viaselection of said product from an electronic advertisement viewed viasaid mobile electronic device.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising electronically receiving check-in data from said mobileelectronic device, said check-in data identifying presence of saidshopper at said specific retail location.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein said check-in data is received via said mobile electronicdevice, said mobile electronic device sending said check-in data inresponse to scanning a check-in code.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein said check-in code is proximal to an entrance of said specificretail location.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said check-in datais received in response to location information of said mobileelectronic device identifying presence of said shopper at said specificphysical retail location.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein saidserver includes at least one server analyzing products on saidelectronic shopping list and distributing selective information to aretail computing device, said selective information utilized by saidretail computing device to send at least one targeted shopping incentiveto said shopper based on said electronic shopping list.
 20. The methodof claim 13, wherein said server includes at least one server analyzingproducts on said electronic shopping list and sending at least onetargeted shopping incentive to said shopper.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein said targeted shopping incentive is based on product informationof said electronic shopping list.